Thursday, November 28, 2013

I have been very fortunate over the past few years to install, test, review and enjoy several aftermarket products for the Goldwing. So, I wanted to take the time to recognize those companies who have the products that I recommend every Goldwing owner purchase.

Best Safety Product

Kisan Electronics pathBlazer

I have been using the Kisan pathBlazer headlight modulators on my Goldwings since 2006. It is the one safety product that I know has saved my butt on more than one occasion. The pathBlazer will cause the high beams to flash rapidly whenever the high beams are turned on during the daytime. When it gets dark out, the high beams function normally. I use the pathBlazers sparingly, only when I am approaching an intersection where I see an oncoming vehicle in the left turn lane, or, if I see a vehicle about to enter the roadway to my right from a perpendicular roadway. I have seen vehicles start to pull out in front of me and as soon as I hit the high beams, they stop in their tracks! It is also valuable to use when in parking lots at slow speeds to increase conspicuity. In my opinion, the pathBlazer is one safety accessory I will not ride without. Kisan installation videos on YouTube.

Best Comfort Product

Baker Built - Baker Hand Wings

This category was a little tougher because I really do like my Utopia backrest. But, if I had to get rid of it or my Baker Hand Wings, the backrest would have to go. The Baker Hand Wings keep the cold off your knuckles in the winter, and direct airflow for better cooling in the summer. For the price, they are the best comfort product I have on my Goldwing.

Best Lighting Accessory

SoCalMotoGear.com - GoldwingHIDs Plug-N-Play Lighting Kit

If you are looking for a way to improve the nighttime visibility, the HID light kit from GoldwingHIDs.com is the only way to go. This is a true "plug-n-play" kit that is much easier to install than some other HID products on the market. The low-beams cast a bright white light much farther and brighter than the stock halogens.

Best Handling Improvement Product

SuperBrace - SuperBrace Fork Stabilizer

The SuperBrace is a relatively low cost, easy to install way to improve the handling of the Goldwing. Anything you can do to stiffen the front forks is an improvement in my book. Some spend thousands on exotic aftermarket suspension systems, which are good. But, for the money, nothing improves the handling as much as a SuperBrace. SuperBrace videos on YouTube.

Best Honda Aftermarket Accessory

Hondaline - Trunk Spoiler

A Goldwing just does not look right without a rear spoiler. The integrated LED tail light is another safety item that no Wing owner should ride without.

The spoiler does take a little effort to install, but it is a job that anyone with an electric drill and a little patience can do on their own.

Best Summer Product

Veskimo Personal Cooling Vest

The Personal Cooling Vest from Veskimo makes riding in the summer heat cool and comfortable. I tested this product on a 700-mile ride to/from Midland, Texas in August. The vest circulates ice water through flexible plastic tubes pumped from an attached ice water chest. If you are looking for a way to cool off on those long, hot, summer rides, check out the Veskimo! Read my full review.

Best Cheap Fix

WingStuff.com - Easy Mount Seat Bolt

At some point, you are probably going to need to remove your seat. Maybe to install a new accessory. Whatever the reason, you soon learn that getting the seat bolts back in is a real chore and often results in cross-threaded bolt holes in the frame. Not fun! For about $15 you can make this task much easier. These bolts are tapered making them easy to "find" the threads on the frame.

Best Tool

Motion Pro - Mini-Bleeder

If you are going to do your own brake and clutch fluid flush and bleed, and you don't have someone else to help, this tool is invaluable. The mini-bleeder has a one-way check valve so that it allows the old fluid to escape as you pump the brake/clutch lever without sucking air and old fluid back into the system in between pumps. This is a tool that has paid for itself many times over.

Best Communication Product

Mic-Mutes - Mic-Mutes

There is nothing more frustrating that having wind noise coming through the headsets when using the intercom on the Goldwing. Mic-Mutes is a cool device that lets you turn off the microphone when not in use. This is one of the coolest products for the Goldwing, and honestly, it should be built into the factory sound system. Watch my Mic-Mutes install video on YouTube.

Best Bike Protection Product

Belly Pan

The first thing I install on a new Goldwing is a belly pan. In my opinion, it is the cheapest, easiest way to protect your engine from serious damage. All it takes is for one rock or piece of road debris to attack the underside of your engine casing and you are out thousands of dollars. There are various manufacturers of aluminum and stainless steel belly pans and any of them are better than no protection. Read my review of the MacGyver Belly Pan.

Best Maintenance Product

Cruiseman's Garage - Goldwing Basics DVDs

Come on, did you really think I was not going to take this opportunity to plug my own DVD set? I am a big believer in working on my own bike whenever possible. First, I save the labor costs charged by the dealer, about $100 an hour. And, I get the satisfaction of knowing the job was done right. I just don't trust my bike to some 19 year old at a dealership. You can easily save $600 a year in labor costs by performing routine maintenance yourself. My DVDs are one purchase that will pay for themselves over and over again.

Honorable Mentions

There are many other products that improve the safety and enjoyment of riding a Honda Goldwing. And, every owner has their own favorites. Here are some other accessories that, while not picked as "BEST" in any particular category, I would gladly recommend to others:Muth LED Signal Mirrors - I have had the Muth mirrors on every one of my 3 Goldwings, and I will have them on my next Goldwing too. Anything that increases the visibility and communicates my intent to drivers behind me is a good thing. I love the new Muth system that integrates the brake light (red) with the turn signals (yellow). www.MuthCo.com

Utopia Backrest - The Utopia backrest is one of the best things you can do to improve the comfort of your Goldwing seat, especially for long distance touring. The Utopia is a bit tricky to install (watch my YouTube video for assistance), but it looks like it came from the factory. It is well engineered and well made. www.utpr.com

AMA Luggage Rack - Honestly, I do not use my luggage rack very often. But, when deciding on one, I wanted the best one on the market. Unquestionably, the rack from American Motorcycle Accessories is the best one I have found. The rack is sturdy and the chrome plating is guaranteed. And, it is made in America. www.AmericanMotorcycleAccessories.com

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Cruiseman's Garage has sourced some really cool Black Friday specials for our followers. Now is the best time to do your Christmas shopping and save big on motorcycle accessories and goodies. Check out these special deals.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

I found a thread on GL1800Riders.com recently where everyone was talking about a new belly pan being made and sold by one of the forum members, Macgyver0856. Unlike my trusty Tulsa belly pan which is made from thin, dull aluminum, the Macgyver pan is made from polished diamond plate aluminum. Unquestionably, Macgyver0856's pan has a lot more bling than the ubiquitous Tulsa pan.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

The country has yet to see the full effect of Obamacare. The only problem people have seen so far is a website that does not work and a few million people who have been dropped from their existing healthcare insurance policies. But there is an evil reality lurking beneath the Obamacare paradigm. The virtual end to life in America as we have come to know it.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

I have found that I really enjoy good beef jerky when on a long road trip. I have been on the hunt for the best beef jerky for some time. I finally decided to review several of my favorite brands and pass my findings on to you.Cruiseman's Jerky Reviews

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Riding a motorcycle is one of the most dangerous leisure activities you can pursue. It is also one of the most rewarding. The first rule of enjoying the activity is to survive the activity. Certainly, you can limit your exposure to injury,or worse, by wearing protective gear, following safe riding guidelines, and riding within your limits. All of this is part of what I refer to as "keeping your head in the game". Having the physical skills to operate a motorcycle cannot overcome a lack of mental focus.

Friday, October 25, 2013

I am sure if I tried hard enough, I could come up with a hundred things I love about my Goldwing. But, here are the 12 that really stand out for me.

1. Reliability - This is probably the #1 reason I bought my thrid Goldwing. When it comes to reliability and dependability there is no other bike on the market in this class that can compete with the Goldwing.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Everyone looks forward to Spring because that is when most get ready for a brand new riding season. I am fortunate to live in Texas where I can ride about 320 days out of the year. About the only thing that will keep my bike in the garage is when the temperatures dip under 40, or if it is raining. Neither of those conditions come to my part of Texas very often. However, for many riders around the country, their bikes are "stored" for months at a time.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Doing your own maintenance can save you up to $100 an hour!

Many dealers now charge $100 or more per hour for labor on routine maintenance tasks. So the question is, "Why not do your own routine maintenance?" Well, there may be a couple of reasons you are hesitating to take on these tasks. But first, let's look at just a few of the routine maintenance tasks that should be performed at least once each year on your Goldwing, and the associated labor costs.

Solving Front-End Wobble

Can Dyna Beads Be The Solution?

For the past seven years I have been reading about Goldwing riders experiencing the dreaded front-end wobble. I had personally never experienced this phenomenon until I purchased my 2012 Goldwing. My 2005 and 2007 were both "wobble-free" rides. That is the strangest thing about the "wobble"; some Wings have it, and some don't.